Chapter 268 If You Don’t Play, You’ll Get Old
When the emperor passed away, there were many ceremonial matters to be completed.

For example, the mourning period is twenty-seven days. Normally, for an average person, it should be twenty-seven months. However, Zhao Xin is an official now after all, so it is impossible for him to waste so much time in mourning.

And the mausoleum also needs to be built. Since there has been no preparation before, the construction period is very tight.

Then building a mausoleum would cost about five million strings of cash.

It is approximately equal to one-twelfth of the annual tax revenue.

Fortunately, the recovery of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun has made the financial pressure seem a little less severe.

After the mourning period is over.

Another month passed, and all the matters in the harem were dealt with.

Basically, there is no need to think about where to move his father’s concubines and harem.

Anyway…

Just live like this forever, he won’t say he wants to move in.

Naturally, there is no need to make any major moves in this regard.

Until April or May of this year.

Everything was almost done now.

Then…

Zhao Xin also met Di Qing who returned from Yongzhou.

Di Qing did not completely conquer Jiaozhi, but he did force Jiaozhi to negotiate peace and surrender.

Because there were too many wounded soldiers in the army, more than half of the 30,000 soldiers were lost, and they were no longer able to capture the capital, so they had to retreat.

Although the goal of destroying the country was not achieved, Zhao Xin still wanted to reward Di Qing.

Just give him a deputy privy envoy.

The main reason is that there are really not many people in the Song Dynasty who know military knowledge.

Pang Ji also passed away this year.

He left earlier than his father.

This means that apart from Fan Zhongyan, the Song Dynasty lost another prime minister.

When Zhao Xin expressed his intention to appoint Di Qing as the Deputy Privy Councilor, naturally, many ministers still expressed their opposition.

in……

Sima Guang, the head of the Censorate, was the most active.

can only say……

If they can’t target Zhao Xin, can’t they target a military general like Di Qing?
Sima Guang then said that Di Qing had read too little and was a military man, so he was not suitable for this job.

In fact, Di Qing has read a lot of books in recent years.

Although most of them may be based on military books.

Zhao Xin also thought that it was fortunate that he was only talking about the Deputy Privy Councilor. If he had said the Privy Councilor, these people would probably react even more strongly.

As for the selection of the Privy Councilor.

Zhao Xin felt that it was either Zhao Xun or Han Qi.

But Zhao Xun still needs him, so he can only let Han Qi come back.

Then he let Zhang Yu, Zhang Dun, Xiong Ben and others, three cobblers who were better than Zhuge Liang, replace Han Qi to defend the Datong Prefecture area.

it’s over…

This year, although the late emperor just passed away, there are various things to deal with.

but……

The northwestern border of the Song Dynasty was not so stable this year.

After killing another powerful Xixia minister, Mo Zang Epang began to monopolize power and even imprisoned Mo Zang.

Although Mo Zang Epang did not launch a large-scale war against the Song Dynasty, there was still harassment and looting by thousands or tens of thousands of people.

Since Zhao Xin is not available now, he can only consider letting Zhao Xun lead the troops to fight alone.

However, Zhao Xin couldn’t fight a big battle.

The only option was to let Zhao Xun lead the elite vanguard to harass Western Xia first.

If we can destroy a little bit of the living force, that’s enough.

Mo Zang Epang attacked not only the Song Dynasty, but also Qingtang Tubo.

This is a typical act of seeking death.

Zhao Xin also sent people to Qingtang Tubo to find out the situation.

Discuss together how to attack Xixia from both sides next.

But there is one thing to say…

If Western Xia was really destroyed, the only one left in the west would be Qingtang Tubo.

At that time, will the Song Dynasty attack them?
This is something every qualified monarch must consider.

To be honest, Zuo Silu is also very conflicted.

Of course!
Considering that Xixia has directly attacked them, if they do not help the Song Dynasty, Xixia will also attack them.

Therefore, no matter what, the only option is to destroy Western Xia as the top priority.

As for your question about whether the Song Dynasty will attack them at that time.

As long as they express their willingness to submit to the Song Dynasty forever, the Song Dynasty will not be able to find a reason to attack them, right?

Zuo Siluo has already felt that the current Song Dynasty is somewhat unstoppable.

He is older.

The only thing he is worried about now is whether his son will have any conflicts with the Song Dynasty in the future.

For this reason, Zuo Siluo had to give a heartfelt warning to his successor Dong Zhen.

In fact, the reason why Qingtang Tubo lived such a good life was not only because they had a very good geographical location, but also because there was another very important factor, that is, the Song Dynasty and Western Xia were often at war, so most of the trade routes that originally passed through Western Xia were transferred to their side.

Without the support of the Song Dynasty, their lives would have been very difficult.

of course!

Zuo Siluo also warned his son that if the Song Dynasty really intended to invade them, they should not just sit there and wait for death.

Sometimes, you have to resist when you need to.

Dong Jian also said: “Father, can’t we unite with Xixia and fight against the Song Dynasty together?”

Zuo Si Luo also said: “Silly boy, is the reputation of Xixia better than that of the Song Dynasty? Xixia can’t even be described as beasts. His uncle Mei Zang Epang is not a good person either.”

In order to determine whether Zhao Xin intended to encroach on their land, Zuo Siluo also sent an envoy to Kaifeng Prefecture, intentionally or unintentionally wanting to ask about Zhao Xin’s future ambitions.

Doesn’t Zhao Xin know the other party’s intentions?

I can only say that I heard it instantly.

Be reasonable!
Zhao Xin certainly hopes that the fifty-six ethnic groups can be one family, but it is estimated that there are really few people who are willing to be a member of his family.

Take Yelu Hongji for example. He is now locked up in a big house in Youzhou City, studying Buddhist scriptures every day.

He is almost looking like a monk, except for the shaving of the tonsure.

This May.

Some of his ministers secretly sneaked into the mansion where he lived and persuaded him to rebel.

Yelu Hongji was of course feeling aggrieved.

But after thinking about it, I decided to forget it!

After all, we won’t be able to defeat the rebels even if they rebel. It would be even worse if we were chased around like a stray dog.

and……

Zhao Xin has carried out some reforms to the Liao Kingdom’s military system. The people of Liao Kingdom may not be completely loyal to Zhao Xin, but at least it is almost impossible for them to return to their previous state.

of course!

If they had not surrendered, things would not have been much better.

Because next year, Zhao Xin’s target will definitely be Zhongjing.

In addition, Goryeo in the east is also helping Zhao Xin, so it is only a matter of time before their country is destroyed.

“We can consider fleeing to the west and rebuilding a Liao dynasty. The emperor of the Southern Dynasty is in mourning now and won’t have time to care about us.”

The ministers also advised.

Yelu Hongji was a little tempted, but soon shook his head. He continued to wish to be born in China in the next life.

This China does not refer to the Song Dynasty or Khitan.

It is a Buddhist term.

The so-called China means that the Buddha will be born in the middle of the earth.

So this China is actually the China where the Buddha was born in Buddhism.

So he thought that he should be reborn in India in his next life.

This is also the beauty of distance.

After all…if he knew what India was like, he probably wouldn’t want to be born there.

The ministers had no way to deal with Yelu Hongji.

The only thing I could do was to go back.

When I went back, I couldn’t help but feel a little emotional. I was afraid that the Liao Dynasty was really going to be gone.

Xiao Ala had no choice but to directly report to Zhao Xin. Zhao Xin asked him if it was not a good idea to lock up the Liao ruler. He should treat him more favorably so as to appease the hearts of the Khitan people and nobles.

Zhao Xin didn’t expect that someone would write a memorial to him about Yelu Hongji.

Then give Yelu Hongji another fifty slaves to work, and increase his food, clothing and other expenses accordingly.

By the way…

Then praise the other party for his loyalty to his former monarch.

to be frank.

This is still relatively rare.

This year…

As the development of soda ash in Liao State began to get on the right track.

The production of glassware also gradually became more skilled.

and……

We are now able to produce relatively transparent and crystal clear ones.

After Zhao Xin learned the news, he naturally asked the craftsmen to try to make beakers, test tubes and other things first.

With beakers and test tubes, they can now do some experiments visible to the naked eye.

For example, you can learn about oxygen, carbon dioxide, and even atmospheric pressure.

Zhao Xin wrote all of this down and asked people in the Academy of Sciences to circulate it among themselves for study.

As for the chemical formulas written by Zhao Xin.

One thing to say!

Many people don’t quite understand how this came about.

But don’t say it yet!
At least after their experiments and calculations, they also found that this seems to be roughly the same!

The Academy of Sciences…

In recent years, apart from mechanical research, the most research results have been achieved in the chemical field.

after all……

Chemistry is about taking all kinds of things and trying them out.

The condition is that as long as you are willing to do it, there will be results.

In the past, everything was thrown into the stove, and they were classified into cold or hot properties. Now, after Zhao Xin’s enlightenment, people have gradually gotten rid of their original ignorance.

With this glass, it is not difficult to imagine that future development will continue to usher in a huge leap forward.

at the same time……

Zhao Xin also began to teach them about science, such as light and its properties.

Now that we have glass, we can make a direct conclusion that light is actually divided into visible light and invisible light. Visible light includes red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

As for what you said, how to prove it!

Others need to prove it, but Zhao Xin usually just gives the answer directly.

and……

If I could prove something like that, would I still need to support you and give you a monthly salary?

Isn’t this what I want you to accomplish?

but……

Zhao Xin still encouraged them to make a prism out of glass. As long as they could make this prism and put it under the sun, they would be able to see the light.

Zhao Xin also gave them scientific knowledge about why human eyes can see colors, which is actually the light reflected back from objects.

For example, why are leaves green? Because all other colors are absorbed, but green is not absorbed and reflected into the human eyes, so when people see the leaves, they appear green.

Then the problem is coming!

Does anyone know what the line rate of light is?

Every time people from the Academy of Sciences read the articles written by Zhao Xin, they always feel very excited.

Take a previous episode for example, where Zhao Xin told them about the various properties of sound.

Now that you have learned to describe the properties of sound, please use a similar method to describe what light is and its definition.

Before everyone here understood what light meant, Zhao Xin brought up the concept of electricity.

of course!

Without collecting natural magnets, Zhao Xin could only draw a schematic diagram for them.

Then tell them that as long as they do this, they can generate electricity.

It depends on whether there is someone with good hands-on ability who can help him realize it.

In addition to vigorously promoting the development of science, we have also started to work on patent law.

But to be honest, I feel like there’s actually not much to write about this legal provision.

Just write it down, and if it is used, the inventor himself can get the profit.

This is actually mainly used to restrict and prevent outsiders from copying their inventions at will.

You can copy it if you want.

Give me money!

And it’s also very expensive!
in fact……

If horse-drawn harvesters were really allowed to become popular, there would be countless tenants in the Song Dynasty who would lose their livelihoods.

This is also the problem that Zhao Xin feels he may face next.

Maybe in this one or two years, the craftsmen of the Academy of Sciences have not yet established contact with those aristocratic families.

Once this technology is leaked artificially or learned by aristocratic families.

Then the Song Dynasty might have to face a fusion for no reason.

If things go wrong, many people will go bankrupt and end up on the streets.

of course!

Considering that the Song Dynasty did not have many horses, and horse-drawn harvesters were mainly pulled by horses, this might slightly limit the spread of this technology.

Just watch it first!

Sima Guang, the head of the Censorate, also expressed his opinion on the horse-drawn harvester.

It is said that if this thing is promoted, it will certainly greatly reduce the burden of farming on the people.

But the problem is…

Ordinary people would not be able to use this thing.

In the end, it will definitely be used by aristocratic families. By then, will land annexation become even more serious?

Will the people become even more unable to survive?

Anyway…

I am happy to have such a thing, but I am also worried whether it will bring about bad consequences.

Zhao Xin thinks that this can be used on a large scale in the Liaoxi Corridor.

The key is……

First of all, there is still wasteland there that can be reclaimed.

Secondly, it is close to Khitan, and when the time comes, we can rent horses from the Khitan people to use for farming.

In fact…

Zhao Xin is already doing this.

However, this can only be state-owned at present, and it is really difficult for ordinary people to have such ability.

Therefore, Sima Guang’s opinion on this is that it would be better to directly prohibit others from using it.

If it can only be used by the state, then there won’t be those problems they have to worry about.

Sima Guang had submitted no less than fifty or sixty memorials to the emperor since he ascended the throne, and he was like a chatterbox.

He also wants to express his opinion on the 27-day mourning period.

The reason why we observe mourning for twenty-seven days is simply because national affairs are indeed more important.

So it has ended early, but the officials should still not hold banquets, listen to music, watch singing and dancing, or hold any entertainment-related activities for the next 27 months.

This is very annoying, isn’t it!

It’s a rare opportunity that he’s an official now, so can’t he have some fun with his queen?

If you don’t play, you will get old.

(End of this chapter)